One person's woodworking journey, with a focus on handtools, a nod to the past, and an appreciation for the creative spirit.

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Roubo: Finished

It's not much different than the last photos I posted, so nothing too exciting. The only difference is there is a finish on the maple and I trimmed the ends of the stretchers. But, she's done. At last.

Somehow, I think my next project will be much more simple. And smaller. And way, way lighter.

rootertooter, it took about four months. I bought the lumber in September but didn't really start planing until December. Once I started, I worked on it every single weekend and many evenings until now.

Thank you, Helen!

Joseph, I wouldn't change a thing about this bench. The split top prevents the end assemblies from pulling apart when the top moves with the seasons. You have to add short stretchers beneath the top of course if you do the split top, but it's not that big a deal.

mwh, I used minwax wipe-on poly which is an oil/varnish mix (I'm pretty sure). It dries really fast (2 hours) so you can apply three coats in a day.

Turling, thank you!

Craig, a couple other folks commented about the leg vise and level, too. I hadn't thought of it, but there are similarities. I was actually looking at the legs of my sawbuck table and a French bench I found in an antique store for inspiration.

djmueller, I don't know that you'd need measured drawings for this bench. It's pretty straightforward and follows a regular Roubo design except for the two-board top, extra short stretchers to support the top, and tusk tenoned long stretchers.

Thanks, Chris!

Vic, your bench build helped nudge me along. It was exciting to see each phase of your construction, and it got me energized to build my (tiny-compared-to-your) bench. Your workbench could snap mine in half like a twig.

That's what I'm talking about :) Why the beautiful tendency of decorating dies. Even such a practical workbench MUST be beautiful. I think that it cames with working with hand, you can't really leave things flat and bland, they must be beautiful!